As I read the words on the system screen, I froze, blinking to make sure I hadn't misinterpreted them.
"Wait… 'Marked by my perfect match?'" I muttered, the phrase lingering, ominous and heavy. My heart thudded, the words unnervingly clear.
I knew exactly what "marking" meant: a mutual, irrevocable exchange of magic and essence, sealed only by the drinking of each other's blood.
But me? The mere thought left me frozen in place. Even though I knew Lise cared for me deeply, this felt so… soon.
I tried to shake it off, thinking maybe it was a joke on the System's part, but it stayed on the list, shimmering and looming.
And I wasn't ready.
Sighing, I forced myself to close the screen, unwilling to let the system or its cryptic tasks control my thoughts any longer.
I crawled back under the sheets and tried to get comfortable, hoping sleep would wash away the strange tension that had settled in my chest.
